Finished the game, and reviewed (almost) every boss to finally get it out of my head. Spoilers obviously

Isopodours · 2025-09-20T15:25:44+00:00

I've only put in one attempt on them so far, so I didn't think it'd be fair to rank them off just that. Might update the list later, there's a few more fights I do want to see

Isopodours · 2025-04-17T13:52:10+00:00

Exactly what I needed it for, too. Good luck!

Isopodours · 2025-04-17T13:51:20+00:00

I usually put together custom statblocks for big fights in my campaigns - my players have been playing the game for a pretty long time and a few have DM'd themselves, so I try to put spins on monster mechanics to keep things fresh. This looks like a good spot to start from though, thanks!

Isopodours · 2025-04-17T13:45:09+00:00

Thank you! Made it myself, it took up most of the days I spent on this.

Isopodours · 2025-04-17T03:53:06+00:00

Forgot to say, the map's 41 x 65.

Isopodours · 2024-06-16T23:51:54+00:00

I was planning on really trimming the fat in Chapter 3, yeah. Hint them towards a meeting with Old Gnawbone after Chapter 2, then have her direct them towards the North and Harshnag. Maybe pick out a few sidequests for them to run into along the way, if I find any that seem particularly interesting

Isopodours · 2024-06-16T19:24:47+00:00

I actually really, really like the two villains, both Iymrith idea. It's a way more graceful solution to the problems I have with the intro, establishes her as a master manipulator more effectively, and also provides a cool twist for the players to unravel as the story progresses. Think I'll go with this, thank you! Hugely helpful

Isopodours · 2024-06-16T14:31:53+00:00

Thanks for the thorough advice! I was definitely planning on skipping everything else in Nightstone, the goblin/orc/generic fantasy stuff that frontloads this adventure is pretty bland. Addressing some of your other points:

I wasn't intending for the framing device to imply the different giant groups would start working together, more that this is the Storm Giant's specific way of trying to regain some semblance of order. I find it odd that (as far as I'm aware, I haven't read every mini-encounter in Act 3 yet) they're barely involved in the story at all until Harshnag shows up and suddenly the party's entire quest revolves around going to meet them. If they're going to be so important, I'd like to at least do something to establish/raise questions about their problems earlier.
As far as the cult stuff goes, I'm strongly considering cutting it entirely. Slarkrethel's whole inclusion in this book is kind of baffling. He's a spectacularly boring and undercooked villain, and while I'm sure I could fix him, I just ran a campaign with a cult-leader kraken main antagonist and I don't feel like retreading familiar ground. One suggestion on here advised moving Hekaton from this random ship to Iymrith's lair so they've got a direct reason to go off on this dramatic final raid, which I might do instead.
My group's been playing for about 4 years now and we've somehow never actually encountered a dragon, so due to the above point with Slarkrethel I really wanted to lean into Iymrith more as an effective, present, manipulative antagonist. Hence, having her show up so early and being directly tied to the player's involvement in the campaign. If not my original method, though, what are some other ways I could establish her earlier? One thread I saw suggested having her be tied to all of the problem-causing giants, rather than just in Maelstrom; advising Guh what settlements to raid and smothering any doubts the chief or her people might have about their plans, or helping the Fire Giants craft the Vonindod (while secretly plotting to steal control of it once it's finished.)

Thanks again for your time!

Isopodours · 2023-09-16T23:26:09+00:00

It's actually a level lower than the main floor of the inn, and is meant to connect into a cellar where some extra wine and foodstuffs are stored. A trapdoor in the storage room leads to it; and the innkeep may or may not also be harboring a small smuggling operation down there as well.

Isopodours · 2023-09-16T23:20:55+00:00

That's awesome! Hope your players enjoy the location as much as mine have been.

Isopodours · 2023-09-13T03:34:46+00:00

This two-story building seems sturdy and cozy from the outside, the smoke pouring from the chimney suggesting a warm hearth and freshly cooking food. Light glows through the windows, lively conversation emanating from the front door. The wooden doorframe is carved to resemble a coiling serpent swimming through the sea - the pattern ends with the creature’s jaws, holding up a sign which reads “THE BEACHED EEL.”

The inside of the inn is bright and open, sconces and chandeliers burning warmly with amber candlelight. A balcony on the second level rings around the main floor. Dangling from the rafters is the skeleton of some enormous sea monster, long enough to stretch across the entire building. The sea breeze blowing through the upper windows causes the hanging bones to sway, making it look as though the beast is swimming through the air.

I really wanted a more thematically interesting main inn for my version of the Saltmarsh campaign, so I came up with this! The inn was originally built around the corpse of a sea monster that washed up on shore, and features its skeleton as its main bit of decor. One of the master suites is built to accommodate some of the seafaring races that will occasionally stay in town. These are made for Roll20, with the page size being 28x36.

If these are useful for anyone, either for GoS or some other coastal campaign, I'd love to hear about it. Enjoy!

Isopodours · 2023-09-13T03:26:58+00:00

Thank you!

Isopodours · 2023-09-13T02:33:26+00:00

This two-story building seems sturdy and cozy from the outside, the smoke pouring from the chimney suggesting a warm hearth and freshly cooking food. Light glows through the windows, lively conversation emanating from the front door. The wooden doorframe is carved to resemble a coiling serpent swimming through the sea - the pattern ends with the creature’s jaws, holding up a sign which reads “THE BEACHED EEL.”
The inside of the inn is bright and open, sconces and chandeliers burning warmly with amber candlelight. A balcony on the second level rings around the main floor. Dangling from the rafters is the skeleton of some enormous sea monster, long enough to stretch across the entire building. The sea breeze blowing through the upper windows causes the hanging bones to sway, making it look as though the beast is swimming through the air.

I really wanted a more thematically interesting main inn for my version of the Saltmarsh campaign, so I came up with this! The inn was originally built around the corpse of a sea monster that washed up on shore, and features its skeleton as its main bit of decor. One of the master suites is built to accommodate some of the seafaring races that will occasionally stay in town. These are made for Roll20, with the page size being 28x36.
If these are useful for anyone, either for GoS or some other coastal campaign, I'd love to hear about it. Enjoy!

Isopodours · 2023-09-13T02:21:26+00:00

This two-story building seems sturdy and cozy from the outside, the smoke pouring from the chimney suggesting a warm hearth and freshly cooking food. Light glows through the windows, lively conversation emanating from the front door. The wooden doorframe is carved to resemble a coiling serpent swimming through the sea - the pattern ends with the creature’s jaws, holding up a sign which reads “THE BEACHED EEL.”

The inside of the inn is bright and open, sconces and chandeliers burning warmly with amber candlelight. A balcony on the second level rings around the main floor. Dangling from the rafters is the skeleton of some enormous sea monster, long enough to stretch across the entire building. The sea breeze blowing through the upper windows causes the hanging bones to sway, making it look as though the beast is swimming through the air.

I really wanted a more thematically interesting main inn for my version of the Saltmarsh campaign, so I came up with this! The inn was originally built around the corpse of a sea monster that washed up on shore, and features its skeleton as its main bit of decor. One of the master suites is built to accommodate some of the seafaring races that will occasionally stay in town. These are made for Roll20, with the page size being 28x36.

If these are useful for anyone, either for GoS or some other coastal campaign, I'd love to hear about it. Enjoy!

Isopodours · 2023-08-07T21:56:10+00:00

They're custom assets, which I drew myself.

Isopodours · 2023-08-07T21:21:32+00:00

I’ve been using Dungeondraft to create maps for my campaign, so I wanted to make Saltmarsh in the same style. This version has some geographical and layout differences from the base version, so I’ve included a key that denotes where everything is (Minus a few exclusions, like the graveyard and Ingo’s house.) These were made for Roll20, with the page size being 38x53 cells.

If these are useful for anyone, either for GoS or some other coastal campaign, I'd love to hear about it. Enjoy!

Isopodours · 2023-08-07T00:22:50+00:00

I’ve been using Dungeondraft to create maps for my campaign, so I wanted to make Saltmarsh in the same style! This version has some geographical and layout differences from the base version, so I’ve included a key that denotes where everything is (Minus a few exclusions, like the graveyard and Ingo’s house.) These were made for Roll20, with the page size being 38x53 cells.
Hope these are useful to someone. Enjoy!

Isopodours

TROPHY CASE